Method of recognizing fingerprints, updating fingerprint templates, apparatus, and mobile terminal

ABSTRACT

A method of recognizing fingerprints, updating fingerprint templates, an apparatus and a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes acquiring a fingerprint image input by a user. The fingerprint image is compared with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set, where the fingerprint template set comprises N-numbered fingerprint templates and N is a positive integer. A mobile terminal performs a target operation when a match value between the fingerprint image and an ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a first preset threshold. The method determines whether the match value set is greater than a second preset threshold. The method generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set when the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than the second preset threshold.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/CN2016/098119, filed on Sep. 5, 2016, which claims the priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201510786295.4, filed on Nov. 13, 2015 and entitled “METHOD OF RECOGNIZING FINGERPRINTS, UPDATING FINGERPRINT TEMPLATES, APPARATUS, AND MOBILE TERMINAL,” applied by GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD. The entire disclosures of the above application are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to a technical field of recognition, and more particularly relates to a method of recognizing fingerprints, updating fingerprint templates, an apparatus, and a mobile terminal.

Background

Fingerprint recognition technology is a relatively mature recognition technique of biological feature, and has become a flagship model standard function of mobile terminals by mainstream manufacturers thereof. Fingerprint recognition is used not only to unlock and awaken mobile terminals, but also plays an important role in mobile payment procedures. The fingerprint recognition used in mobile payment procedures brings users great convenience to improve mobile payment security.

When a user unlocks a mobile terminal or performs a mobile payment procedure using the fingerprint recognition technique, the user has to input fingerprint information to the mobile terminal in advance. The mobile terminal generates a fingerprint template based on the input fingerprint information. When unlocking the mobile terminal or performing the mobile payment procedure, the user inputs a new fingerprint once again. The mobile terminal receives the new fingerprint and matches the fingerprint templates with the new fingerprint. If the new fingerprint is consistent with the fingerprint template, the user identity is correctly verified to unlock the mobile terminal or perform the mobile payment procedure.

However, due to a limited size of a fingerprint recognition module of the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal only obtains restrictive fingerprint information. Furthermore, the fingerprint templates previously pre-stored in the mobile terminal are fixed. When the user uses the fingerprint information in an unlocking procedure of the mobile terminal, a first fingerprint input cannot successfully unlock the mobile terminal and thus, the user needs multiple fingerprint inputs per unlocking procedure, thereby resulting in undesirable fingerprint unlocking experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following embodiments refer to the accompanying drawings for exemplifying specific implementable embodiments of the present disclosure, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustrative flowchart of a method of recognizing fingerprints according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an illustrative flowchart of a method of recognizing fingerprints according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is an illustrative structural diagram of an apparatus of recognizing fingerprints according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an illustrative structural diagram of an apparatus of recognizing fingerprints according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an illustrative flowchart of a method of updating fingerprint templates according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an illustrative flowchart of a method of updating fingerprint templates according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an illustrative structural diagram of an apparatus of updating fingerprint templates according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an illustrative structural diagram of an apparatus of updating fingerprint templates according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 is an illustrative structural diagram of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Reference numerals include:

an acquisition unit 110, a comparison unit 120, an unlocking unit 130, a determination unit 140, a first processing unit 150, a second processing unit 160, a third processing unit 170, a fourth processing unit 180, a fifth processing unit 190, an acquisition unit 210, a comparison unit 220, a determination unit 230, a first processing unit 240, a second processing unit 250, a third processing unit 260, a fourth processing unit 270, a fifth processing unit 280, a mobile terminal 90, a housing 901, a processor 902, a memory 903, a circuit board 904, and a power circuit 905.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following embodiments refer to the accompanying drawings for exemplifying specific implementable embodiments of the present disclosure in a suitable computing environment, where similar numerals denote the same elements. It should be noted that the exemplary described embodiments are configured to describe and understand the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The following embodiments refer to the accompanying drawings for exemplifying specific implementable embodiments of methods of recognizing fingerprints, updating fingerprint templates, an apparatus and a mobile terminal in the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative flowchart of a method of recognizing fingerprints according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the method of recognizing fingerprints includes actions at the following blocks.

At block S11, a fingerprint image input by a user is acquired.

In detail, an acquisition unit acquires the fingerprint image input by the user when the user uses a fingerprint to unlock a mobile terminal.

In one embodiment, the mobile terminal is selected from one group consisting of hardware devices with different operating systems, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, and electronic books.

In the present disclosure, the mobile terminal is taken as an example for explaining the method of recognizing fingerprints, it can be understood that, the mobile terminal can be replaced by other electronic devices with function of fingerprint identification.

At block S12, the fingerprint image is compared with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set.

The fingerprint template set includes N-numbered fingerprint templates, where N is a positive integer.

In one embodiment, when acquiring the fingerprint image input by the user, the fingerprint image is matched with N (e.g., 30) of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set and a match value between the fingerprint image and each of the fingerprint templates is computed. This determines whether each of the match values is greater than a first preset threshold.

The first preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the first preset threshold is represented as 85%.

It should be noted that each of the fingerprint templates includes a fingerprint image pre-stored in the mobile terminal. The fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set. In other words, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint images of the fingerprint templates.

At block S13, when a match value between the fingerprint image and an ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations, where i is a positive number and is less than or equal to N.

In one embodiment, the target operations are selected from one group consisting of, but not limited to, an unlocking operation and a mobile payment procedure.

In order to improve operational efficiency of the mobile terminal, each of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes weighting information. In one embodiment, when the fingerprint image is matched with fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set is acquired. The weighting information of each fingerprint template is updated based on the match frequency corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When updating the weighting information corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates, a match rank is determined according to the weighting information of each fingerprint template.

In one embodiment, higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template mean more effective weighting information and higher match rank.

In one embodiment, the match frequency relates to a number of match times between a fingerprint template and a fingerprint image input by the user. Higher number of match times between the fingerprint image of the fingerprint template and the fingerprint image input by the user means higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one of the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set based on the match rank. In other words, the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint template having the highest match rank and a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template is computed. If the match value is greater than a first preset threshold, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations to reduce match time spent in matching the fingerprint image with the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set, so as to improve operational efficiency of the mobile terminal.

For example, when the target operation is to unlock a mobile terminal using a fingerprint, a fingerprint template set includes five fingerprint templates 1 to 5. The match rank of the five fingerprint templates is fingerprint templates 3, 2, 1, 5, and 4 based on the weighting information of the fingerprint templates. In order to improve unlocking efficiency of the mobile terminal, when the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the fingerprint image is compared with the fingerprint template 3 and the match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 is computed. This determines whether the match value is greater than a first preset threshold. If the match value is greater than the first preset threshold, this determines that the fingerprint image input by the user meets requirements to unlock the mobile terminal.

At block S14, an action at this block determines whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold.

The second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

The second preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the second preset threshold is represented as 95%.

At block S15, if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

For example, the first preset threshold is 85% and the second preset threshold is 95%. When a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 of the fingerprint template set is 96%, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations and determines that the match value is greater than the second preset threshold. At this time, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

At block S16, if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is less than or equal to the second preset threshold, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set keep fixed.

In the method of recognizing fingerprints of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fingerprint image input by a user is first acquired. The fingerprint image is compared with N-numbered fingerprint templates in a fingerprint template set. If a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations. It is further determined whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold. If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are no longer fixed. In a subsequent match procedure of the fingerprint templates, the fingerprint images input by users continuously improve and supplement the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set to increase operational efficiency of the mobile terminal and user experience.

Based on the above-mentioned embodiments, if a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold and is less than the second preset threshold, image quality of the fingerprint image is compared with image quality of the ith fingerprint template. When the image quality of the fingerprint image is better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template, the fingerprint image replaces the ith fingerprint template. When the image quality of the fingerprint image is not better than the image quality of ith fingerprint template, the ith fingerprint template keeps fixed.

In other words, when the match value between the fingerprint image and ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold and is less than the second preset threshold, the image quality of the fingerprint image is compared with image quality of ith fingerprint template. When the image quality of the fingerprint image is better than the image quality of ith fingerprint template, the ith fingerprint template is updated based on the fingerprint image to renew ith fingerprint template. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are optimized. The more precise the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, time spent in unlocking the mobile terminal using a fingerprint is decreased, to improve unlocking efficiency of the mobile terminal and user experience.

FIG. 2 is an illustrative flowchart of a method of recognizing fingerprints according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 2, the method of recognizing fingerprints includes the actions at following blocks.

At block S21, a fingerprint image input by a user is acquired.

In detail, an acquisition unit acquires the fingerprint image input by the user when the user uses a fingerprint to unlock a mobile terminal.

In one embodiment, the mobile terminal is selected from one group consisting of hardware devices with different operating systems, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, and electronic books.

At block S22, the fingerprint image is compared with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set.

The fingerprint template set includes N-numbered fingerprint templates, where N is a positive integer.

In one embodiment, when acquiring the fingerprint image input by the user, the fingerprint image is matched with N (e.g., 30) of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set and a match value between the fingerprint image and each of the fingerprint templates is computed. This determines whether each of the match values is greater than a first preset threshold.

The first preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the first preset threshold is represented as 85%.

It should be noted that each of the fingerprint templates includes a fingerprint image pre-stored in the mobile terminal. The fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set. In other words, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint images of the fingerprint templates.

At block S23, if a match value between the fingerprint image and an ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations, where i is a positive number and is less than or equal to N.

In one embodiment, the target operations are selected from one group consisting of, but not limited to, an unlocking operation and a mobile payment procedure.

In order to improve operational efficiency of the mobile terminal, each of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set includes weighting information. In one embodiment, when the fingerprint image is matched with fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set is acquired. The weighting information of each fingerprint template is updated based on the match frequency corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When updating the weighting information corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates, a match rank is determined according to the weighting information of each fingerprint template.

In one embodiment, higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template mean more effective weighting information and higher match rank.

In one embodiment, the match frequency relates to a number of match times between a fingerprint template and a fingerprint image input by the user. Higher number of match times between the fingerprint image of the fingerprint template and the fingerprint image input by the user means higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one of the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set based on the match rank. In other words, the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint template having the highest match rank and a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template is computed. If the match value is greater than a first preset threshold, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations to reduce match time spent in matching the fingerprint image with the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set, so as to improve operational efficiency of the mobile terminal.

For example, when the target operation is to unlock a mobile terminal using a fingerprint, a fingerprint template set includes five fingerprint templates 1 to 5. The match rank of the five fingerprint templates is fingerprint templates 3, 2, 1, 5, and 4 based on the weighting information of the fingerprint templates. In order to improve unlocking efficiency of the mobile terminal, when the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the fingerprint image is compared with the fingerprint template 3 and the match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 is computed. This determines whether the match value is greater than a first preset threshold. If the match value is greater than the first preset threshold, this determines that the fingerprint image input by the user meets requirements to unlock the mobile terminal.

At block S24, an action at this block determines whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold.

The second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

The second preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the second preset threshold is represented as 95%.

At block S25, if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

For example, the first preset threshold is 85% and the second preset threshold is 95%. When a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 of the fingerprint template set is 96%, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations and determines that the match value is greater than the second preset threshold. At this time, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

At block S26, if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is less than or equal to the second preset threshold, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set keep fixed.

At block S27, N-numbered fingerprint templates are sequenced based on the match frequencies of the fingerprint templates.

At block S28, one of the fingerprint templates having a lowest match rank is removed from the fingerprint template set.

In order to maintain a number of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set within a threshold, a match frequency of each fingerprint template is acquired and the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set are sequenced based on the match frequency. The fingerprint template having the lowest match frequency for a long time is removed from the fingerprint template set to keep the number of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set as N.

In other words, when the user uses a fingerprint to unlock a mobile terminal and the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint template, the fingerprint template having the lowest match frequency is removed from the fingerprint template set such that the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set is optimized. Since fingerprint template quality of the fingerprint template set is gradually improved, a fingerprint recognition rate is increased and a false rejection rate (FRR) is decreased during a subsequent match procedure. Thus, time spent in unlocking the mobile terminal is decreased, to improve the operational efficiency of the mobile terminal and user experience.

In the method of recognizing fingerprints of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fingerprint image input by a user is first acquired. The fingerprint image is compared with N-numbered fingerprint templates in a fingerprint template set. If a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold, the mobile terminal is unlocked. It is further determined whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold. If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are no longer fixed. In a subsequent match procedure of the fingerprint templates, the fingerprint images input by users continuously improve and supplement the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set to increase operational efficiency of the mobile terminal and user experience.

In order to implement the above embodiment, the present disclosure further provides an apparatus, where the apparatus can be a part of a mobile terminal or an electronic device. The apparatus also can be an entire mobile terminal or an entire other electronic device with function of fingerprint identification. The apparatus has a function of recognizing fingerprints.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative structural diagram of an apparatus of recognizing fingerprints according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The apparatus includes an acquisition unit 110, a comparison unit 120, an unlocking unit 130, a determination unit 140, and a first processing unit 150.

The acquisition unit 110 is configured to acquire a fingerprint image input by a user.

The comparison unit 120 is configured to compare the fingerprint image with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set.

The fingerprint template set includes N-numbered fingerprint templates, where N is a positive integer.

It should be noted that each of the fingerprint templates includes a fingerprint image pre-stored in the mobile terminal. The comparison unit 120 is configured to match the fingerprint image input by the user with fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set. In other words, the comparison unit 120 is configured to match the fingerprint image input by the user with fingerprint images of the fingerprint templates.

The unlocking unit 130 is configured to unlock the mobile terminal according to one of target operations if a match value between the fingerprint image and an ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold, where i is a positive number and is less than or equal to N.

In one embodiment, the target operations are selected from one group consisting of, but not limited to, an unlocking operation and a mobile payment procedure.

The determination unit 140 is configured to determine whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold, where the second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

The first processing unit 150 is configured to generate a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and add the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than the second preset threshold.

As shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus of recognizing fingerprints further includes a second processing unit 160. The second processing unit 160 is configured to keep the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set fixed if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is less than or equal to the second preset threshold.

In order to improve operational efficiency of the mobile terminal, each of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set includes weighting information according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 4, the apparatus of recognizing fingerprints further includes a third processing unit 170. The third processing unit 170 is configured to acquire a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set when the fingerprint image is matched with fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set. Furthermore, the third processing unit 170 is configured to update the weighting information of each fingerprint template based on the match frequency corresponding to the fingerprint template.

In one embodiment, higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template mean more effective weighting information and higher match rank.

In one embodiment, the match frequency relates to a number of match times between a fingerprint template and a fingerprint image input by the user. Higher number of match times between the fingerprint image of the fingerprint template and the fingerprint image input by the user means higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the comparison unit 120 determines a match rank according to the weighting information of each fingerprint template.

For example, when the target operation is to unlock a mobile terminal using a fingerprint, a fingerprint template set includes five fingerprint templates 1 to 5. In one embodiment, the third processing unit 170 determines that the match rank of the five fingerprint templates is fingerprint templates 3, 2, 1, 5, and 4 based on the weighting information of the fingerprint templates. In order to improve unlocking efficiency of the mobile terminal, when the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the comparison unit 120 compares the fingerprint image with the fingerprint template 3 and the match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 is computed. This determines whether the match value is greater than a first preset threshold. If the match value is greater than the first preset threshold, this determines that the fingerprint image input by the user meets requirements to unlock the mobile terminal.

In order to optimize the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus of recognizing fingerprints further includes a fourth processing unit 180. The fourth processing unit 180 is configured to sequence N-numbered fingerprint templates based on the match frequencies of the fingerprint templates and to remove the fingerprint template having the lowest match frequency from the fingerprint template set.

In order to maintain a number of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set within a threshold, the fourth processing unit 180 is configured to acquire a match frequency of each fingerprint template and to sequence the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set based on the match frequency. The fingerprint template having the lowest match frequency for a long time is removed from the fingerprint template set to keep the number of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set as N.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus of recognizing fingerprints further includes a fifth processing unit 190. The fifth processing unit 190 is configured to compare image quality of the fingerprint image with image quality of the ith fingerprint template if a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold and is less than the second preset threshold. When the image quality of the fingerprint image is better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template, the fingerprint image replaces the ith fingerprint template. When the image quality of the fingerprint image is not better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template, the ith fingerprint template keeps fixed.

In other words, when the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold and is less than the second preset threshold, the fifth processing unit 190 is configured to compare the image quality of the fingerprint image with image quality of the ith fingerprint template to determine that the image quality of the fingerprint image is better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template. The ith fingerprint template is updated based on the fingerprint image to renew the ith fingerprint template so that the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are optimized. The more precise the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, time spent in unlocking the mobile terminal using a fingerprint is decreased, to improve unlocking efficiency of the mobile terminal and user experience.

It should be noted that the above descriptions related to the method of recognizing fingerprints can be applied to the apparatus of recognizing fingerprints, and will not be repeated here.

In the apparatus of recognizing fingerprints of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the acquisition unit 110 is configured to first acquire a fingerprint image input by a user. The comparison unit 120 is configured to compare the fingerprint image with N-numbered fingerprint templates in a fingerprint template set. The unlocking unit 130 is configured to unlock the mobile terminal according to one of target operations if a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold. It is further determined whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold. If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are no longer fixed. In a subsequent match procedure of the fingerprint templates, the fingerprint images input by users continuously improve and supplement the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set to increase operational efficiency of the mobile terminal and user experience.

In order to implement the above embodiment, the present disclosure further provides a mobile terminal

The mobile terminal includes the apparatus of recognizing fingerprints according to an embodiment of a second aspect of the present disclosure.

In the mobile terminal of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fingerprint image input by a user is first acquired. The fingerprint image is compared with N-numbered fingerprint templates in a fingerprint template set. If a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold, the mobile terminal is unlocked. It is further determined whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold. If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are no longer fixed. In a subsequent match procedure of the fingerprint templates, the fingerprint images input by users continuously improve and supplement the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set to increase operational efficiency of the mobile terminal and user experience.

In order to implement the above embodiment, the present disclosure further provides a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a housing, at least one processor, a memory, a circuit board, and a power circuit. The circuit board is disposed in an internal space surrounded by the housing. The at least one processor and the memory are disposed on the circuit board. The power circuit is configured to supply power to circuits and devices of the mobile terminal. The memory is configured to store executable program instructions. The at least one processor is configured to read the executable program instructions in the memory to implement a procedure corresponding to the executable program instructions. The executable program instructions include the following actions.

A fingerprint image input by a user is acquired.

In detail, an acquisition unit acquires the fingerprint image input by the user when the user uses a fingerprint to unlock a mobile terminal.

In one embodiment, the mobile terminal is selected from one group consisting of hardware devices with different operating systems, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, and electronic books.

The fingerprint image is compared with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set.

The fingerprint template set includes N-numbered fingerprint templates, where N is a positive integer.

In one embodiment, when acquiring the fingerprint image input by the user, the fingerprint image is matched with N (e.g., 30) of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set and a match value between the fingerprint image and each of the fingerprint templates is computed. This determines whether each of the match values is greater than a first preset threshold.

The first preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the first preset threshold is represented as 85%.

It should be noted that each of the fingerprint templates includes a fingerprint image pre-stored in the mobile terminal. The fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set. In other words, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint images of the fingerprint templates.

If a match value between the fingerprint image and an ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations, where i is a positive number and is less than or equal to N.

In one embodiment, the target operations are selected from one group consisting of, but not limited to, an unlocking operation and a mobile payment procedure.

In order to improve operational efficiency of the mobile terminal, each of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set includes weighting information. In one embodiment, when the fingerprint image is matched with fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set is acquired. The weighting information of each fingerprint template is updated based on the match frequency corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When updating the weighting information corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates, a match rank is determined according to the weighting information of each fingerprint template.

In one embodiment, higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template mean more effective weighting information and higher match rank.

In one embodiment, the match frequency relates to a number of match times between a fingerprint template and a fingerprint image input by the user. Higher number of match times between the fingerprint image of the fingerprint template and the fingerprint image input by the user means higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one of the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set based on the match rank. In other words, the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint template having the highest match rank and a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template is computed. If the match value is greater than a first preset threshold, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations to reduce match time spent in matching the fingerprint image with the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set, so as to improve operational efficiency of the mobile terminal.

For example, when the target operation is to unlock a mobile terminal using a fingerprint, a fingerprint template set includes five fingerprint templates 1 to 5. The match rank of the five fingerprint templates is fingerprint templates 3, 2, 1, 5, and 4 based on the weighting information of the fingerprint templates. In order to improve unlocking efficiency of the mobile terminal, when the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the fingerprint image is compared with the fingerprint template 3 and the match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 is computed. This determines whether the match value is greater than a first preset threshold. If the match value is greater than the first preset threshold, this determines that the fingerprint image input by the user meets requirements to unlock the mobile terminal.

This action determines whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold.

The second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

The second preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the second preset threshold is represented as 95%.

If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

For example, the first preset threshold is 85% and the second preset threshold is 95%. When a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 of the fingerprint template set is 96%, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations and determines that the match value is greater than the second preset threshold. At this time, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is less than or equal to the second preset threshold, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set keep fixed.

In the mobile terminal of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fingerprint image input by a user is first acquired. The fingerprint image is compared with N-numbered fingerprint templates in a fingerprint template set. If a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations. It is further determined whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold. If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are no longer fixed. In a subsequent match procedure of the fingerprint templates, the fingerprint images input by users continuously improve and supplement the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set to increase operational efficiency of the mobile terminal and user experience.

FIG. 5 is an illustrative flowchart of a method of updating fingerprint templates according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 5, the method of updating fingerprint templates includes actions at the following blocks.

At block S51, a fingerprint image input by a user is acquired.

In detail, when a user uses a mobile terminal, an acquisition unit of mobile terminal acquires the fingerprint image input by the user.

In one embodiment, the mobile terminal is selected from one group consisting of hardware devices with different operating systems, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, and electronic books.

At block S52, the fingerprint image is compared with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set.

The fingerprint template set includes N-numbered fingerprint templates, where N is a positive integer.

In one embodiment, when acquiring the fingerprint image input by the user, the fingerprint image is matched with N (e.g., 30) of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set and a match value between the fingerprint image and each of the fingerprint templates is computed. This determines whether each of the match values is greater than a second preset threshold.

The second preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the second preset threshold is represented as 95%.

It should be noted that each of the fingerprint templates includes a fingerprint image pre-stored in the mobile terminal. The fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set. In other words, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint images of the fingerprint templates.

In order to improve match efficiency between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set, each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set includes weighting information. In one embodiment, when the fingerprint image is matched with fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set is acquired. The weighting information of each fingerprint template is updated based on the match frequency corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When updating the weighting information corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates, a match rank is determined according to the weighting information of each fingerprint template.

In one embodiment, higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template mean more effective weighting information and higher match rank.

In one embodiment, the match frequency relates to a number of match times between a fingerprint template and a fingerprint image input by the user. higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template mean more effective weighting information and higher match rank.

When the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one of the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set based on the match rank. In other words, the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint template having the highest match rank and a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template is computed.

At block S53, an action at this block determines whether a match value between the fingerprint image and an ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold.

At block S54, if the match value is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

For example, the first preset threshold is 85% and the second preset threshold is 95%. When a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 of the fingerprint template set is 96%, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations and determines that the match value is greater than the second preset threshold. At this time, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

At block S55, if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is less than or equal to the second preset threshold, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set keep fixed.

In the method of updating fingerprint templates of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fingerprint image input by a user is first acquired. The fingerprint image is compared with N-numbered fingerprint templates in a fingerprint template set. If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are no longer fixed. In a subsequent match procedure of the fingerprint templates, the fingerprint images input by users continuously improve and supplement the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set so that the fingerprint templates are optimized and fingerprint recognition rate is improved.

Based on the above-mentioned embodiments, the method of updating fingerprint templates further includes that N-numbered fingerprint templates are sequenced based on the match frequencies of the fingerprint templates, and one of the fingerprint templates having a lowest match rank is removed from the fingerprint template set.

In detail, a match frequency of each fingerprint template is acquired and the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set are sequenced based on the match frequency. The fingerprint template having the lowest match frequency for a long time is removed from the fingerprint template set to keep the number of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set as N.

In other words, when the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint template, the fingerprint template having the lowest match frequency is removed from the fingerprint template set such that the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set is optimized. Since fingerprint template quality of the fingerprint template set is gradually improved, a fingerprint recognition rate is increased and FRR is decreased during a subsequent match procedure.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative flowchart of a method of updating fingerprint templates according to another embodiment of the present disclosure

As shown in FIG. 6, the method of updating fingerprint templates includes the following blocks.

At block S61, a fingerprint image input by a user is acquired.

In detail, when a user uses a mobile terminal, an acquisition unit of mobile terminal acquires the fingerprint image input by the user.

In one embodiment, the mobile terminal is selected from one group consisting of hardware devices with different operating systems, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, and electronic books.

At block S62, the fingerprint image is compared with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set.

The fingerprint template set includes N-numbered fingerprint templates, where N is a positive integer.

In one embodiment, when acquiring the fingerprint image input by the user, the fingerprint image is matched with N (e.g., 30) of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set and a match value between the fingerprint image and each of the fingerprint templates is computed. This determines whether each of the match values is greater than a second preset threshold.

The second preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the second preset threshold is represented as 95%.

It should be noted that each of the fingerprint templates includes a fingerprint image pre-stored in the mobile terminal. The fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set. In other words, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint images of the fingerprint templates.

In order to improve match efficiency between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set, each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set includes weighting information. In one embodiment, when the fingerprint image is matched with fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set is acquired. The weighting information of each fingerprint template is updated based on the match frequency corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When updating the weighting information corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates, a match rank is determined according to the weighting information of each fingerprint template.

In one embodiment, higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template mean more effective weighting information and higher match rank.

In one embodiment, the match frequency relates to a number of match times between a fingerprint template and a fingerprint image input by the user. Higher number of match times between the fingerprint image of the fingerprint template and the fingerprint image input by the user means higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template.

The fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one of the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set based on the match rank. In other words, the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint template having the highest match rank and a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template is computed.

At block S63, an action at this block determines whether a match value between the fingerprint image and an ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold.

At block S64, if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

For example, the first preset threshold is 85% and the second preset threshold is 95%. When a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 of the fingerprint template set is 96%, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations and determines that the match value is greater than the second preset threshold. At this time, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

At block S65, if the match value is less than or equal to the second preset threshold, it is determined whether the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a first preset threshold.

The first preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the first preset threshold is represented as 85%.

At block S66, if the match value is greater than a first preset threshold, image quality of the fingerprint image is compared with the image quality of the ith fingerprint template.

At block S67, if the image quality of the fingerprint image is better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template, the fingerprint image replaces the ith fingerprint template.

At block S68, if the image quality of the fingerprint image is not better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template, the ith fingerprint template keeps fixed.

In one embodiment, when the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold and is less than the second preset threshold, the image quality of the fingerprint image is compared with image quality of the ith fingerprint template. When the image quality of the fingerprint image is better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template, the ith fingerprint template is updated based on the fingerprint image to renew the ith fingerprint template. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are optimized. The more precise the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, a fingerprint recognition rate is increased and a false rejection rate (FRR) is decreased during a subsequent match procedure such that the fingerprint recognition becomes better.

In the method of updating fingerprint templates of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fingerprint image input by a user is first acquired. The fingerprint image is compared with N-numbered fingerprint templates in a fingerprint template set. It is determined whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold. If the match value is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are no longer fixed. In a subsequent match procedure of the fingerprint templates, the fingerprint images input by users continuously improve and supplement the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set to increase operational efficiency of the mobile terminal and user experience.

In order to implement the above embodiment, the present disclosure further provides an apparatus, where the apparatus can be a part of a mobile terminal or an electronic device. The apparatus also can be an entire mobile terminal or an entire other electronic device with function of fingerprint identification. The apparatus has a function of updating fingerprint templates.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative structural diagram of an apparatus of updating fingerprint templates according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

A shown in FIG. 7, the apparatus of updating fingerprint templates includes an acquisition unit 210, a comparison unit 220, a determination unit 230, and a first processing unit 240.

The acquisition unit 210 is configured to acquire a fingerprint image input by a user.

The comparison unit 220 is configured to compare the fingerprint image with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set.

The fingerprint template set includes N-numbered fingerprint templates, where N is a positive integer.

The determination unit 230 is configured to determine whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold, where the second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

The first processing unit 240 is configured to generate a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and add the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal.

As shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus of updating fingerprint templates further includes a second processing unit 250. The second processing unit 250 is configured to keep the fingerprint template set fixed if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is less than or equal to the second preset threshold.

In one embodiment, each of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set includes weighting information. In FIG. 8, the apparatus of updating fingerprint templates further includes a third processing unit 260. The third processing unit 260 is configured to acquire a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set. Furthermore, the third processing unit 260 is configured to update the weighting information of each fingerprint template based on the match frequency corresponding to the fingerprint template.

In one embodiment, higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template mean more effective weighting information and higher match rank.

When the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the comparison unit 220 determines a match rank according to the weighting information of each fingerprint template.

For example, a fingerprint template set includes five fingerprint templates 1 to 5. In one embodiment, the third processing unit 260 determines that the match rank of the five fingerprint templates is fingerprint templates 3, 2, 1, 5, and 4 based on the weighting information of the fingerprint templates. In order to improve unlocking efficiency of the mobile terminal, when the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the comparison unit 220 compares the fingerprint image with the fingerprint template 3 and the match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 is computed. This determines whether the match value is greater than a first preset threshold.

In order to optimize the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set, as shown in FIG. 8, the apparatus of recognizing fingerprints further includes a fourth processing unit 270. The fourth processing unit 270 is configured to sequence N-numbered fingerprint templates based on the match frequencies of the fingerprint templates to remove the fingerprint template having the lowest match frequency from the fingerprint template set.

In order to maintain a number of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set within a threshold, the fourth processing unit 270 is configured to acquire a match frequency of each fingerprint template to sequence the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set based on the match frequency. The fourth processing unit 270 is configured to remove the fingerprint template that has the lowest match frequency for a long time. This keeps the number of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set as N.

Moreover, in FIG. 8, the apparatus of updating fingerprint templates further includes a fifth processing unit 280. The fifth processing unit 280 is configured to further determine whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold if the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is less than the second preset threshold. If the match value is greater than the first preset threshold, the fifth processing unit 280 compares the image quality of the fingerprint image with the image quality of the ith fingerprint template. When the image quality of the fingerprint image is better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template, the fingerprint image replaces the ith fingerprint template. When the image quality of the fingerprint image is not better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template, the ith fingerprint template keeps fixed.

It should be noted that the above descriptions related to a method of updating fingerprint templates can be applied to an apparatus of updating fingerprint templates, and will not be repeated here.

In the apparatus of updating fingerprint templates of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the acquisition unit is configured to first acquire a fingerprint image input by a user. The comparison unit is configured to compare the fingerprint image with N-numbered fingerprint templates in a fingerprint template set. The determination unit determines whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold. If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the first processing unit generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set. Therefore, the fingerprint templates are no longer fixed. In a subsequent match procedure of the fingerprint templates, the fingerprint images input by users continuously improve and supplement the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set such that the fingerprint templates are optimized to increase fingerprint recognition rate.

In order to implement the above embodiment, the present invention further provides a mobile terminal.

The mobile terminal includes the apparatus of updating fingerprint templates according to a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure.

In the mobile terminal of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fingerprint image input by a user is first acquired. The fingerprint image is compared with N-numbered fingerprint templates in a fingerprint template set. If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are no longer fixed. In a subsequent match procedure of the fingerprint templates, the fingerprint images input by users continuously improve and supplement the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set so that the fingerprint templates are optimized and fingerprint recognition rate is improved.

In order to implement the above embodiment, the present invention further provides a mobile terminal.

FIG. 9 is an illustrative structural diagram of a mobile terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, the mobile terminal 90 includes a housing 901, at least one processor 902, a memory 903, a circuit board 904, and a power circuit 905. The circuit board 904 is disposed in an internal space surrounded by the housing 901. The at least one processor 902 and the memory 903 are disposed on the circuit board 904. The power circuit 905 is configured to supply power to circuits and devices of the mobile terminal 90. The memory 903 is configured to store executable program instructions. The at least one processor 902 is configured to read the executable program instructions in the memory 90 to implement a procedure corresponding to the executable program instructions. The executable program instructions include the following actions.

A fingerprint image input by a user is acquired.

In detail, an acquisition unit acquires the fingerprint image input by the user when the user uses a fingerprint to unlock a mobile terminal.

In one embodiment, the mobile terminal is selected from one group consisting of hardware devices with different operating systems, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a personal digital assistant, and electronic books.

The fingerprint image is compared with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set.

The fingerprint template set includes N-numbered fingerprint templates, where N is a positive integer.

In detail, when acquiring the fingerprint image input by the user, the fingerprint image is matched with N (e.g., 30) of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set and a match value between the fingerprint image and each of the fingerprint templates is computed. This determines whether each of the match values is greater than a first preset threshold.

The first preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the first preset threshold is represented as 85%.

It should be noted that each of the fingerprint templates includes a fingerprint image pre-in the mobile terminal. The fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set. In other words, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with fingerprint images of the fingerprint templates.

In order to improve operational efficiency of the mobile terminal, each of fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set includes weighting information. In one embodiment, when the fingerprint image is matched with fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set is acquired. The weighting information of each fingerprint template is updated based on the match frequency corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When updating the weighting information corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates, a match rank is determined according to the weighting information of each fingerprint template.

In one embodiment, higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template mean more effective weighting information and higher match rank.

In one embodiment, the match frequency relates to a number of match times between a fingerprint template and a fingerprint image input by the user. Higher number of match times between the fingerprint image of the fingerprint template and the fingerprint image input by the user means higher match frequencies corresponding to the fingerprint template.

When the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one of the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set based on the match rank. In other words, the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint template having the highest match rank and a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template is computed. If the match value is greater than a first preset threshold, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations to reduce match time spent in matching the fingerprint image with the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set, so as to improve operational efficiency of the mobile terminal.

For example, when the target operation is to unlock a mobile terminal using a fingerprint, a fingerprint template set includes five fingerprint templates 1 to 5. The match rank of the five fingerprint templates is fingerprint templates 3, 2, 1, 5, and 4 based on the weighting information of the fingerprint templates. In order to improve unlocking efficiency of the mobile terminal, when the fingerprint image is matched with the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set, the fingerprint image is compared with the fingerprint template 3 and the match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 is computed. This determines whether the match value is greater than a first preset threshold. If the match value is greater than the first preset threshold, this determines that the fingerprint image input by the user meets requirements to unlock the mobile terminal.

This action determines whether a match value between the fingerprint image and an ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold.

The second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.

The second preset threshold is defined as a match threshold between a preset fingerprint image and a fingerprint template. For example, the second preset threshold is represented as 95%.

If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

For example, the first preset threshold is 85% and the second preset threshold is 95%. When a match value between the fingerprint image and the fingerprint template 3 of the fingerprint template set is 96%, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations and determines that the match value is greater than the second preset threshold. At this time, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set.

If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is less than or equal to the second preset threshold, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set keep fixed.

In the mobile terminal of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fingerprint image input by a user is first acquired. The fingerprint image is compared with N-numbered fingerprint templates in a fingerprint template set. If a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold, the mobile terminal performs corresponding target operations. It is further determined whether a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold. If the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than a second preset threshold, the mobile terminal generates a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adds the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set. Therefore, the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set are no longer fixed. In a subsequent match procedure of the fingerprint templates, the fingerprint images input by users continuously improve and supplement the fingerprint templates of the fingerprint template set to increase operational efficiency of the mobile terminal and user experience.

In the present disclosure, reference terms “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, “example”, “a specific example”, or “some examples” in connection with the embodiment or example are described by specific features, the structure, material, or characteristic which is included In one embodiment of the disclosure or examples in this specification. The schematic representations of the terms are not necessarily to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, the material, or characteristics may be any one or more of the embodiments or examples combined in a suitable manner. In addition, in the case of not mutually inconsistent, persons skilled in the art can combine or assemble different embodiments or examples.

In addition, the terms “first” and “second” are used for descriptive purposes only, and should not be taken to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly indicate the number of technical features. Thus, defining features “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, a “plurality” means at least two, for example, two or three, unless clearly specifically defined.

Flowchart diagrams, any processes or methods described by different manners can be understood that units, fragments or portions of executable instruction codes for implementing specific logical functions or steps. Persons skilled in related art should be noted that the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in a substantially simultaneous manner or in a reverse order to perform functions.

Logic units and actions at blocks in the flowchart are defined as a sequence table of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. The sequence table of executable instructions can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for an instruction execution system, an apparatus, or a device (e.g., computer-based system, a system having a processor, or an instruction execution system, an apparatus, or a device to access the instructions and execute the instructions). In the present disclosure, “computer-readable medium” can include of storage, communication, propagation, transmission programs or the combinations. The “computer-readable medium” includes at least one of electrical wired connection portion (e.g., an electronic devices), a portable computer diskette (e.g., a magnetic device), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (e.g., EPROM or flash memory), fiber optic devices, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (e.g., CDROM). In addition, the computer-readable medium can even be paper or suitable medium on which the programs are printed. For example, the paper or suitable medium are optically scanned. The programs on the paper or suitable medium are electronically obtained using compiled and interpreted manners and stored in computerized memory.

It should be understood that portions of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or combinations thereof. In the above-described embodiments, a plurality of actions or methods may be stored in a memory and are executed by software or firmware implemented in a suitable instruction execution system. If actions at the blocks or methods may be implemented, for example, in hardware, as in another embodiment, any one of the following techniques or combinations thereof in the related art may be used. The techniques includes a discrete logic circuit of logic gate circuits to implement logic functions on data signals, an application specific integrated circuit having appropriate combinational logic gate circuits, a programmable gate array (PGA), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

Persons skilled in the related art should be noted that all or part of actions in the above-described embodiments can be implemented by program instructions executable in hardware. The program instructions are stored in computer-readable medium and the program instructions are performed for at least one of actions at the blocks.

Furthermore, each of functional units may be integrated in one processing unit or be a separate physical unit. For example, two or more units are integrated in a single unit. The integrated units can be implemented in a form of hardware or software unit. In one embodiment, when the integrated units are implemented in the form of a software unit which is sold or used as an independent product, the integrated units can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

The computer-readable storage medium can be a read-only memory, a magnetic disk or optical disk. As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrative rather than limiting of the present disclosure. It is intended that they cover various modifications and similar arrangements be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of recognizing fingerprints, comprising: acquiring a fingerprint image input by a user; comparing the fingerprint image with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set, wherein the fingerprint template set comprises N-numbered fingerprint templates and N is a positive integer; controlling an electronic device to perform a target operation when a match value between the fingerprint image and an ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a first preset threshold, wherein i is a positive number and is less than or equal to N; determining whether the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold; and generating a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and adding the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set, when the match value is greater than the second preset threshold.
 2. The method of recognizing fingerprints according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: keeping the fingerprint template set fixed when the match value is less than or equal to the second preset threshold.
 3. The method of recognizing fingerprints according to claim 1, wherein each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set comprises weighting information, the method further comprising: acquiring a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set; and updating the weighting information of each of the fingerprint templates based on the match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates.
 4. The method of recognizing fingerprints according to claim 3, wherein a match rank of each of the fingerprint templates is determined according to the weighting information of each of fingerprint templates when the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set.
 5. The method of recognizing fingerprints according to claim 3, wherein the method further comprises: sequencing N-numbered fingerprint templates based on the match frequency of each of the fingerprint templates; and removing one of the fingerprint templates having a lowest match rank from the fingerprint template set.
 6. The method of recognizing fingerprints according to claim 1, wherein the second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.
 7. The method of recognizing fingerprints according to claim 6, wherein the method further comprises: comparing image quality of the fingerprint image with image quality of the ith fingerprint template when the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold and is less than the second preset threshold; replacing the ith fingerprint template by the fingerprint image when the image quality of the fingerprint image is better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template; and keeping the ith fingerprint template fixed when the image quality of the fingerprint image is not better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template.
 8. An apparatus, comprising: a processor; a memory connected with the processor, wherein the memory comprises program codes executable by the processor, the program codes comprising: acquiring a fingerprint image input by a user; comparing the fingerprint image with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set, wherein the fingerprint template set comprises N-numbered fingerprint templates and N is a positive integer; performing a target operation, when a match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a first preset threshold, where i is a positive number and is less than or equal to N; determining whether the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold; and generating a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and add the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set when the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than the second preset threshold.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the method further comprises: keeping the fingerprint template set fixed when the match value is less than or equal to the second preset threshold.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set comprises weighting information, the program codes further comprising: acquiring a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set, and updating the weighting information of the fingerprint templates based on the match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a match rank of each of the fingerprint templates is determined according to the weighting information of each of fingerprint templates when the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the program codes further comprises: sequencing N-numbered fingerprint templates based on the match frequency of each of the fingerprint templates, and removing one of the fingerprint templates having a lowest match rank from the fingerprint template set.
 13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second preset threshold is greater than the first preset threshold.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the program codes further comprises: comparing image quality of the fingerprint image with image quality of the ith fingerprint template when the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than the first preset threshold and is less than the second preset threshold, replacing the ith fingerprint template by the fingerprint image when the image quality of the fingerprint image is better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template, and keeping the ith fingerprint template fixed when the image quality of the fingerprint image is not better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template.
 15. An apparatus, comprising: a processor; a memory connected with the processor, wherein the memory comprises program codes executable by the processor, the program codes comprising: acquiring a fingerprint image input by a user; comparing the fingerprint image with fingerprint templates pre-stored in a fingerprint template set, wherein the fingerprint template set comprises N-numbered fingerprint templates and N is a positive integer; determining whether the match value between the fingerprint image and ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a second preset threshold; and generating a new fingerprint template based on the fingerprint image and add the new fingerprint template to the fingerprint template set when the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template is greater than the second preset threshold.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises: keeping the fingerprint template set fixed when the match value is less than or equal to the second preset threshold.
 17. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set comprises weighting information, the program codes further comprising: acquiring a match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set, and updating the weighting information of the fingerprint templates based on the match frequency corresponding to each of the fingerprint templates.
 18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein a match rank of each of the fingerprint templates is determined according to the weighting information of each of fingerprint templates when the fingerprint image input by the user is matched with at least one of the fingerprint templates in the fingerprint template set based on the match rank.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the program codes further comprises: sequencing N-numbered fingerprint templates based on the match frequency of each of the fingerprint templates, and removing one of the fingerprint templates having a lowest match rank from the fingerprint template set.
 20. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the apparatus further comprises: determining whether the match value between the fingerprint image and the ith fingerprint template of the fingerprint template set is greater than a first preset threshold when the match value is less than the second preset threshold; comparing image quality of the fingerprint image with image quality of the ith fingerprint template when the match value is greater than the first preset threshold; replacing the ith fingerprint template by the fingerprint image when the image quality of the fingerprint image is better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template; and keeping the ith fingerprint template fixed when the image quality of the fingerprint image is not better than the image quality of the ith fingerprint template. 